Preparation and characterization of various column-filling materials in order to optimize 68Ge-68Ga generator column

Authors : Elif Ekebaş, Okan Oktar, Eren Çantay, Ece Ergun, Nur Banu Öztaş, Büşra Aydın, Özlem Abay

Pages : 15-24

View : 74 | Download : 89

Publication Date : 2024-07-12

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :In order to obtain ready-to-use 68Ga in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) applications, the 68Ge/68Ga generator system is an ideal source and allows PET imaging in centers without cyclotrons. Radiochemical separation of Ge (mother) and Ga (daughter) radionuclide though commercial generators is carried out with columns consisted of inorganic metal oxides. In this study, commercially available tin dioxide (SnO2), laboratory-synthesized SnO2, titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zeolite as a column filling material in 68Ge/68Ga generators were used. The sorption behavior of column-filling materials as adsorbent was investigated without the use of radioactive materials. All elements, especially Ge and Ga for representing 68Ge/68Ga generator system, were performed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). In addition, since these column-filling materials used in the thesis will be exposed to radiation during the shelf life of the 68Ge/68Ga generator, their radiation stability were investigated. Structural characterization studies were performed with, Raman Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). In order to calculate surface area and pore sizes, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method were used. The promising results obtained in this study, calcined at 900 °C Kw_SnO2 would be prepared and evaluated of pilot 68Ge/68Ga generators.
Keywords : radionuclide, 68Ge 68Ga Generator, metal oxide, adsorption, Positron Emission Tomography PET